Complete the sentences with the correct options from the list below:
He reported to his manager that he .... overseas
He reported to his manager that he .... overseas
Take Free Practice Test On 2026 JAMB UTME, Post UTME, WAEC SSCE, GCE, NECO SSCE
Correct Answer: Option A
Explanation:
> "He reported to his manager that he ____ overseas."
The reporting verb "reported" is in the past tense, so the action inside the reported speech should also move one step back in tense (this is called backshifting in indirect speech).
Now, let's check the options:
- A. had never been — This is past perfect, which is correct for reported speech when the reporting verb ("reported") is in the past. Correct.
- B. never was — Simple past, but "had never been" is a better match for this indirect speech. Incorrect.
- C. has never been — Present perfect; wrong because the reporting verb is past ("reported"). Incorrect.
- D. is never — Present tense; wrong after a past reporting verb. Incorrect.
- E. will never be — Future tense; does not match the reported context here. Incorrect.
> "He reported to his manager that he ____ overseas."
The reporting verb "reported" is in the past tense, so the action inside the reported speech should also move one step back in tense (this is called backshifting in indirect speech).
Now, let's check the options:
- A. had never been — This is past perfect, which is correct for reported speech when the reporting verb ("reported") is in the past. Correct.
- B. never was — Simple past, but "had never been" is a better match for this indirect speech. Incorrect.
- C. has never been — Present perfect; wrong because the reporting verb is past ("reported"). Incorrect.
- D. is never — Present tense; wrong after a past reporting verb. Incorrect.
- E. will never be — Future tense; does not match the reported context here. Incorrect.